Episode 9: A Girl Amidst The Boys
I almost choked when I heard that.
"… "
" Haru, would you mind taking off that hood? " she asked me.
I shrank back when I heard this.
" Haru? "
" D-Do you really want to see my face? " I asked her. " I mean it's really plain-looking. "
The woman did not answer me but waited patiently.
With a profound sigh, I pushed my hood back.
The long golden tresses which I had fought so hard to stuff inside my hood fell out almost instantly as if captured birds freed from their once small world in a cage. They cascaded past my shoulders ending at my waist.
I met her green eyes directly with my own aquamarine eyes.
" Yes, I am a girl. "
Then, very unexpectedly, she slapped me.
My eyes widened in disbelief as my hand immediately went up and covered my throbbing left cheek.
My mouth opened but nothing came out.
" You have such stunning long hair, the colour of gold and your eyes…What is wrong with you?! Have you not a single ounce of confidence in you? By your looks alone, I see a very beautiful girl standing in front of me. Why do you hide your looks from the world? " Mito-san's words stung as tears glistened in my eyes.
" I'm sorry, " were the only words I could manage.
" You must have confidence in yourself! Sorry won't change anything, my dear girl! "
Surprisingly, the woman must have felt guilty since she suddenly wrapped her arms around me in a hug.
" I think you need a new name. Haru, just doesn't suit you. "
I welcomed her hug without second thoughts and encircled her waist with my arms. I breathed in her smell. The sweet smell of a mother.
" Uh-huh, " I agreed, smiling and crying at the same time.
After a long bath, Mito-san helped me into a spare yukata belonging to her. It was a bit too loose since I had a small built but she helped me pin back the baggy ends with safety pins to tighten it so that it will wrap around my body properly. The yukata was really pretty with flowers printed on it.
" Hmm, what are we going to do with your hair? " the twenty-five-year muttered to herself, stroking my hair, absently.
" Um, would you mind if we just left it like it is now? " I suggested shyly.
Mito-san smiled at me compassionately.
" Sure, that would be a wonderful idea. "
With one last brush of my hair, Mito-san told me that I was ready for the festival.
" And, now…for the boys. I wonder what will they say when they see you, all dressed up and all, " she told me, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
It was then that it struck me. I gasped in alarm.
" Mito-san, can I please go in my robes. I don't want them to think of me as a girl! " I pleaded her.
She shook her head.
" It's too late now. Anyway, I will not let you wear that drag of a robe. You must be happy with who you are. I'm sure the boys will think so too. "
Mito-san practically had to lug me downstairs where all the boys were keenly waiting for my appearance.
Oh no…!
" You stay here first until I call for you okay? " Mito-san said.
She did not even wait for my answer because she knew very well that I would say no. With that, she disappeared into the kitchen where they were all waiting.
Oh, how can this happen to me…?!
I didn't expect this to happen…!
If only…
Well, if only…
If only, I had refused Gon's invitation to come here…!
Then…
I wouldn't be in this mess that is happening now…!
Stupid, stupid me…!
" Well, sorry about the long wait, everyone but Haru's here! "
I heard Mito-san announcing me.
Earlier on, there was chatter and the place was so boisterous but now…
But now…
Now, it's silent…
I just know that they are all staring at the door…
Waiting…
Just waiting…
Waiting for me to appear…
I swallowed the huge lump forming in my throat.
" Haru? " Gon's aunt called.
Deliberately, I chose to ignore it and just stand there, outside in the dark, hoping against all hope that she would forget that I'm ever there. However, there was none of that as she came striding out of the room towards me. Wordlessly, she seized my wrists and dragged me towards the room where my kismet awaited.
Honestly, now I'm going to melt and just die…
Please let me die…
Oh god from the Seven Heavens above…
Just take me away from here…!
However, even if the gods heard my plea, they were not going to do that at all.
" Stop being difficult, girl! " Mito-san hissed at me angrily. " I'm just trying to help you build your self-confidence! "
Clearly, she was losing her patience with me, resisting and all.
I knew that she meant well but I could not face them now.
Not after how they had all assumed that I was a boy…
Which I gladly went along too…!
And then, it came all too soon.
I stepped into the room, not looking at anyone, blushing furiously.
There was a series of sudden intakes of breath all around the room.
That's it…!
" EEEEEEHHHHHHHH?!?!?!?!?!?! A GIRL?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? " everyone yelled in unison.